Fleet Week San Diego 2026: dates, free ship tours and what to know

San Diego is a Navy town, and for one week in November the Navy opens the gangway. Fleet Week puts working warships alongside Broadway Pier downtown and lets the public walk aboard, free. The San Diego Tourism Authority lists the 2026 edition for November 6 to 15. Here's what to expect, and the one thing that can cancel it.

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap contributors

Fleet Week

1. 1Broadway Pier — Ship tours and pier events

Nearby

1. 2USS Midway Museum — The carrier that's open every day

Getting there

1. 3Santa Fe Depot — COASTER, Amtrak and Trolley, a short walk
2. 4America Plaza Trolley Station — Blue and Green lines

Pins are approximate. Source: Port of San Diego, San Diego Tourism Authority and MTS, checked October 6, 2026.

See these on the full San Diego map

Ship tour rules

• —Free, no tickets: the Port of San Diego says tours are first come, first served with no reservations. Past tours ran 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• —Photo ID: a valid government picture ID such as a driver's license, passport or military ID.
• —Closed-toe shoes: required. You'll be on ladders and steel decks.
• —Leave at the hotel: strollers, glass containers, large bags and large backpacks aren't allowed.
• —Age 5 and up: younger kids can't tour.
• —Mobility: there's no elevator access, and the Port advises people with limited mobility not to take part.
• —Which ships? Not announced ahead of time because of the Navy's operational security posture.

What else usually happens

Past lineups have included student STEM days, a community breakfast aboard the USS Midway, the Veterans & Military Boat Parade on the bay, a Fleet Week Football Classic at Snapdragon Stadium and a Military Family Day. The foundation publishes each year's schedule on its site; times and venues change year to year.

Driving downtown is the hard part. Take the Trolley or COASTER to Santa Fe Depot and walk. Make a day of it: the USS Midway is next door, and if you're here for a ship coming home rather than a tour, read how Navy homecomings work.